How to use Amazon Alexa to send SMS text messages

Amazon's Alexa just gained another useful new trick: It can now send text messages... but only if you have an Android phone.

These are real text messages sent through your Android phone to other phones (doesn't matter what type) and not messages sent through the Alexa app. Here's how to do it.

SEE ALSO: 10 things you should do now that you've welcomed Alexa into your life

Enabling Alexa SMS messaging is really easy. First, you'll need to download the latest version of the Alexa app from the Google Play Store if you don't already have it installed.

Then, go into the Conversations tab (that's message icon next to the home button). Tap on the person icon in the upper right corner, and then tap "My Profile" under your own name.

Now, flip the to toggle next to "Send SMS" to on, and voilà -- you can now use a voice command on any Alexa-equipped device, like any of Amazon's own Echo devices, to send text messages.

The two voice commands to use to send a text message are:

• "Alexa, send a text message"

• "Alexa, send an SMS"

Alexa will then ask you to whom you want to send your message to. If the person you're sending the message to is saved in your Android phone's address book, just say their full name when prompted.

Ask Alexa to send a message to their number. But you'll need to read their number like a cave man: "Alexa, send a text message to 123-456-7890". It's annoying, but it works.

Included with each text message is a link to hear the dictated version as shown below:

Text messages sent from an Echo Spot to an iPhone X. Credit: screenshot: raymond wong/mashable

It's kind of creepy and weird, but it could be useful for the vision-impaired.

Another thing to be mindful of: The "Alexa, send a text message" voice command is different from "Alexa, send a message" command. The latter will send your message through the Alexa app, and not a regular text message.